Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-29

and the clasp OF pair OF SOFT white arms? AT
that moment Mr.. Berthold excused himself IN
order to look up some important papers that had
been nisiaid; and as he LETT the room the curtains
ANA sbe f f,e sopg o Norway doubled mo-
longer. 1t was his protege OF the flre.
Changed, certainly; for instead of timid fright
full woman. Norway had heard OF Miss Berthoid,
who would have been decided belle, only for a
certain exclusiyeness that hedged her in, or,
rather, hedged Others out; but he never met her
formally. But sense OF guilt stole over him, de-
prfving him OF the pleasure which the occasion
would otherwise have brought him. Miss BerthOld
was attiTed in a dark wine-cOlored velvet, made
plain and closely hitting, which seemed to add to
her height and TO render her more imposing. As
she confronted him she transfiXed the unhappy
young man with magnificent look OF mingled
scorn and Indignation.
'Sir," she said, "have you mother"
'NO," said Norway, who had arisen at her ap-
preach; Il have no mother"
"Have you sister,"
'No; no sister,"
"Have you wife, then" persisted the young
lady, with growing resentment
mo- said Norway, and his own voice sounded
strangely TO him, Il have no wife,
desperation.
out lor once ne found 1t impossible to speak. OF
course she had utterly forgotten him: he had ex-
ptcltd tnat. But III seemed 20 him now they were
once more lace TO face that the night OF the fire
was blt yesterday instead OF seven years past.
something In his face, grave, earnest and almost
appealing, touched the young lady with slight
wonder what mean Is now can you do such
things?' she went on, for having gone so far She
was unable to stop.
what thfngs?'
"Why, pry into other peoples secrets Papa said
IT would Kill him IL il should get out And to-mor-
TOW IL win De all over town. and in the paper. Oh
oh! iou are cruel. You are hairless. You can
not be gentleman"
Words fail 10 describe Norway's sensations as he
listened. He had sometimes been guilty of in
dulging in romantic dreams OF the time when he
might, perchance, meet his unknown prOtege but
they mad never pictured the event under condi-
mice -or h,vp iIinffr 10
was fafn TO put the burden OF responsibility on
MI Thorne; and IL thoughts could KILL it is prob
denly deprived of it's able and enterDrising editor
solve.
Miss Berthold, he said, ''have you ever heard
the story OF the wise foe and the foolish friend7"
Nc, SIR, said the young lady, cody.
win you kindly allow me to relate 1t while
am waiting? Thank you. A certain king who
lived In ancient times had favOrite ape The
animal was very fond of him, and was with him
night ana day. One night a rObber effected
trance into the royal chamber in the hope that he
might escape with some of the court jewels As
ne entered a huge spider descended from the cell
Ing on its invisible web and dropped upon the
forehead of the sleeping king The ape enraged
that so vile thing should touch his beloved mas
ter, seized a stout staff which lay near and rails
ing it above his head would have killed the un-
conscious monarch but that the robber sprang
forward and arrested the blow. The king awaken
Ing and learning the cause OF the confusion, COM
handed that the ape should be killed. but re-
warded the rObber. ''For," said he my petted
1dNOrlIt, Win good intentions, would have out me
TO death; but thou, coming with bad Intentions
hatn saved my life. Better is actse foe than a
foolish friend"
Norway related this simple story in a low, i'm
pre-Ssive voice, that was In itself work OF art
Miss Berthold listened, first with polite liberation
then with some Slight interest
THAT Is a very good story. And the moral is
that you are wise foe?1
If may not be considered In friendly light,
certainly would covet that distinction. But let me
add that rather than bring my favorable notoriety
upon your family, Will cut off my right hand Ii
you positively desire it, will give you my word OF
honor that not syllable relating to this affair
Shall ever find its way into the columns of the
Pro and Con-"
Are you in earnest?" asked Miss Berthold In
surprise.
quite So But you should look at the question
from all StandpOintS. There are other papers
when VIII not take the same stand, but, by false
representations. Will give much worse coloring
TO the affair than it deserves ], at least will Sc
cure justice for YOU; they will not"
II never thought OF that" said Miss BerthOld.
thoughtfuliy. She reflected moment, then said
Il think, then, perhaps 1t is better as it is we
VIII trust TO your generosity. owe you an
has had great deal of trouble Of late and in
thinking OF him, forgot myself"
she bowed an adieu and was gone. At that
moment MI. BerthOid re-entered the room with
handful OF manuscripts as an aid to the propOsed
work, and began writing his statement This
however he found much more difficult than he
had antcipated and it finally ended i'm his stating
the facts TO Norway, who at mis- option wrote
them OUT Under the sk1llful manipulation of his
sented that the old gentleman was delighted
u wonder II Amos will get ahead OF that?" he
said, rubbing his hands in agreeable reflection.
III may oner a suggestion" said Norway ssI
will propose that you allow me to submit this
paper to Mr.. Amos Berthold for his Inspection"
what for?" said Mr.. Berthold sharply and sus-
piciOuSiy. He looked at Norway moment and
finding nothing but frankness and truth in the
gaze he met, reflected a moment. then said:
''Weu you may. / think can trust him.
BerthOid never was known to do a mean act
You're good fellow he added, holding out his
hand TO Norway, as the latter rose to &c. 81 am
hope 10 meet YOU again.
Half an hour later Norway stood again before
MI. Amos Bertholds door, but under What differ
ent auspices than formerly, Now he came con-
querOr. This time Mr.. Berthoid did not refuse to
see him, partly from curiosity, aroused by his
strange, prophetic speech he had taken his
departure on his former visit and partly from a
sense of uneaSineSS therefrom.
so you are here again. he safd testify.
''1eS, sir. have come from your brother who
mas written statement which he instructed me
TO submit TO you for approval
..iie said that, did hep said the old gentleman,
with gasp OF surprise. He mechanically took
the paper held out TO him and perused it carefully
His face softened as he read, and as he finished he
admitted that 1t was fairly written and excent a
few minor details, just to both sides
''Hezekiah always was good square fellow
Norway heard him say half under his breath; am
go and see him."
The old gentleman shook hands very heartily
with Norway at parting, and even apOlOgiZed for
ms former Z, harsh treatment though he declared
that IL was hard lines when man had to tell of
his own accord, his own secrets against his win
The Berthold affair, after the publication OF the
statement. faded out of peoples minds there being
no further 1000 for curiosity. People reading il
ana nndlng nothing sensational, as they had ex
pected, said, SIS that all?" with a yaWn and
straightway forgot all about it; and about thai
time the brothers were recOnctled. As for Nor
way, he became more and more valuable to the
Pro and Con as time passed, especially as Mr.
Th0rneS health failed and he was Obliged to take
a year > travel abroad. Norway filled the VACANCY
caused by his absence, and SCRAPS of able ana
facetiouS editorials began to be extensively
quoted and m1SquOted throughout the country
from his pen Society zoo, smiled upon the young
journalist; and one day he received AN tnyitatto1
10 dine at Mr. Hezekiah BerthOid's. Miss Berthold
was, Oh course, present, and it CHANGED that he
was appointed TO take her in TO dinner
Afterward they stroiled into the CONSERVATORY tn
HOOK al Il new variety OF cactus which was then I'm
blossom; but by the time they reached Thai
charming retreat, they had forgotten the cactus
They even laughed over the circumstances or
their former meeting, when Norway had called in
The glllSe OF wise enemy; though Miss Berthold
frankly confessed that the subject was painful
one TO her.
81 can never forget the unceremon0us way adj
dressed you that day, she said .Of course tt was
rude, you were an utter stranger to me and when
i think OF that ridiculous dialogue which / was
the iIiSlgaLo Of"
''Do not think OF il, said Norway
Impossible. have To think OF it. said Miss
Berthoid, peryerSeiy.
But, said Norway, 'if could prove to you that
was not an utter stranger and that we were or
should have been, Old acsluaintances having met
seven years ago, would that make any differ
ence?" ' i
III might. But then, 1t isn't sou
res, ~ ~ quite true. Have you no recollection